Electric power plant.



H. F. WATERS.

ELECTRIC POWER PLANT.

.APPLIGATION FILED sEPT. 24. 1912,.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

2'SHEETSSHEET 1.

. WWJW H.- F. WATERS. ELECTRIC POWER PLANT. 1.1 1211101111011 FILED $311.21, 913.

1,125,783. Pt'ented Ja11.19, 1915.

Z SHEETfi-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY r.- WATERS, or common srnmes, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC POWER PLANT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY F. WATERS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Colorado Springs, in thecounty of El Pa-so and State of Colorado, have invented new' and usefulImprovements in Electric Power the present instance, has particularapplication to a wind operated plant.

In carrying out the present invention, 1t is my purpose to provide anelectric current generating plant which will be found especially'usefulin charging storage batteries andwherein the driving mechanism of thecharging generator will be automatically cut out of service when thecurrent in the charging circuit rises above a predetermined point,thereby preventing injury to the batter I l; is also my purpose toprovide a wind operated electric power plant wherein the wind wheeldriving the generator will be automatically thrown out of the wind inthe event of the current from the generator exceeding a predeterminedvalue, incident to the too rapid rotation of the wind wheel and whereinthe wind wheel will be thrown into the avind when the current strengthof the charging circuit has dropped below a predetermined point.

'VVith the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in, the construction,-

combination and arrangement of parts here inafter set forth in andfalling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a windoperated electric current generating plant constructed in accordancewith my present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing thevarious circuit connections. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view throughthe housing. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the tail vane showing theconnections between the latter and the generator casing.

Referring now tothe accompanying drawings in detail, the numeral 1designates a .wind mill tower of any desired construction,

while 2 indicates a turn table secured to the upper end of the tower.Mounted upon the turn table 2 and capable of rotation in a horizontalplane is an electric'current genorator ordynamo electric machine 3. FastSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 24, 1913. Serial No. 791,619.

upon one end of the armature shaftv of the generator 3 is a wind wheel 4of any suitable construction and provided, concentrically of thearmature shaft and upon the rear face thereof with a hub 5 encircled bya brake band 6 having one and fastened to a bracket arm 7 secured to thecasing of the generator 3 and the opposite end connected with oneextremity of. a brake lever 8 fulcrumed between lts ends upon a pivotpin 9 carried by the generator casing. Loosely surrounding the oppositeend of the armature shaft of the generator and fastened to or formedintegral with the generator casing is a collar 10 to whiclris pivotallyconnected at diametrically opposite points the outer ends of theopposite limbs of a yoke 11 carrying a tail vane 12. Contractile springs13, 13 each have one end fastened to one side of the tail vane 12 andthe opposite end secured to the collar 10, such springs acting to holdthe tail vane-in a osition coaxial with the axis of the'wind w eel.

Built in the base of the tower 1 is a shed.

.means'of which the mains may be connected up with line wires 17. Alsoarranged within the shed or housing-14.- is a storage battery 18connected in circuit with the mains 15 and adapted tobe charged from thegenerator. Connected in the charging circuit composed of the mains 15 isan ammeter 19 connected up with a controller. In the present lnstance,this controller comprises a disk 20 of insulating material fast upon onecontacts 24., 24: and vice versa. An electric motor 25 is connected inparallel with the mains15 by way of a wire 26 establishing communicationbetween one of the-mains ing from the opposite side of the switch to oneof the contacts 23, and a Wire 36) leading from the rer'naining contact23 to the other main. Connected through suitable gearing with the motor25 is a Windlass 31 equipped with a crank handle 32 by means of whichthe Windlass may be operated manually in the event of defect in themotor or the circuit thereof. Cooperating with the teeth of the gearwheel on the shaft of the winding drum of the Windlass 31 is a dog 34designed to prevent retrograde movement of the Windlass 31. This dog 34is carried by one end of an armature 35 pivoted at its opposite end anddisposed within the influence of the poles of electromagnet 36 connectedin parallel with the mains 15 by way of a wire 37 establishingcommunication between one of the mains and one side of the magnet,a'wire 38 leading from the opposite terminal of the magnetto one of thecontact points 24, and a wire 39 connected with the remaining contact 24and connected with the other main 15 by way of a portion of the wire 30.A

An electric lamp 40 is connected in multiple with the mains andcontrolled by aswitch 41 so that the shed or housing 14 may beilluminated when desired. The switch 28 is connected with a cable 42having one end thereof passed through an eye 43 on the tail vane 12 andsecured to the free terminal of the brake lever 7 and the oppositeendthereof connected to and adapted to be'wound about the drum ofthe'windlass 31. l

' The operation of my electric current generating plant may be brieflystated as follows: Assuming the wind wheel 4 to be in the wind androtating, the generator 3 will be operated so that current flows throughthe mains 15 to the storage battery 18 to charge the latter and from themains to the external circuit, the line wires 17,- the switch 16 beingclosed, of course. The current passing to the storage batteryflowsthrough the am-' meter 19 and should such current exceed anamperage dangerous to the'life of the battery, incident to the too rapidrotation of the wind wheel, the disk 20 of the controller will berotated'under the. action of the arm meter shaft to bridge the contacts23, 23 by the segment 22 whereby current will flow from one of the.mains 15 through the wire 26, motor 25, wire 27, switch 28, the latterbeing closed, wire 29, contact 23, segment 22, the remaining contact 23,and the wire 30 back to the other main. As the motor operates, the drumofthe Windlass 31 is r0- tated with the efiect to wind up the cable 42and so operate the brake lever 7 to check the rotation of the wind wheeland swing the tail vane 12 so that the wind wheel will be thrown out ofthe wind. Simultaneously with the operation of the brake lever and thethrowing of the wind wheel out of the wind, the switch 28 is operated,incident to the connection between the same and the cable,

to break the circuit through the motor 25 the magnets 36, the armature35 is operated to withdraw the dog 34 from engagement with the teeth ofthe gear wheel thereby permitting the drum of the Windlass to unwind andso relieve the tension of the cable 42 whereby the brake will bereleased and the wind wheel thrown back into the wind.

While I have herein shown and described one preferred form of myinvention by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I donot limit or confine myself to the precise details of constructionherein described and delineated, as modification and variation may bemade within the scope of the claims Without departing from thespirit ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. In an electric power plant, a generator, means "for driving the same,a, storage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefronnan ammeter in circuit with the generator, a motorconnected in circuit with the generator, means whereby said motor mayrender the driving means inoperative, and a controller connected withsaid ammeter and adapted to close the circuit-to said motor upon anabnormal increase in current from the generator whereby said drivingmeans will be rendered inactive.

2. In an electricpower plant, a generator, means for driving the same,astorage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, an arm meter in circuit with the generator, a motorconnected in circuit with. the generator, means whereby said motor mayrender the driving means inactive, a controller connected with saidammetercand adapted to close meter in circuit with thegene'rator, amotor connected-in circuit with said generator, means whereby said motormay render said driving means inactive, means for holding end-namedmeans.

controller connected with said ammeter and adapted to close the circuitto said motor upon an abnormal increasem current from the-generatorwhereby said driving means will be rendered inactive.

i. In an electric power plant, a generator, means for driving the same,a storage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, an-amme ter in circuit with the generator, a motorconnected in circuit with said generator, means whereby said motor mayrender said driving means inactive, means for holding said last means inoperated position, and a controller connected with said ammeter andadapted to close the circuit to said motor upon an abnormal increase incur-rent from the generator whereby said driving means will be renderedinactive, and close the circuit to said last-named means upon thecurrent falling below normal whereby said second-named means will bereleased.

5. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind wheel for driving thesame, a storage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled device in the charging circuit,a motor connected in circuit with said generator, connections betweensaid motor and wind wheel, and a controller connected with said currentcontrolled device and adapted to close the circuit to said 'motor uponan abnormal increase in current inthe charging circuit whereby said windwheel will be ren-' dered inactive.

6. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind wheel for driving thesame, a storage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled device in the charging circuit,a motor connected in circuit with the generator, means operable fromsaid motor to throw the wind wheel out of the'wind, and

thrown out of the wind.

a windwheel for driving the same, a stor 7. In an electric power plant,a generator,

age battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to be chargedtherefrom, a current controlled device in the charging cir-' cuit, amotor connected in circuit with the generator, means operable from saidmotor to throw thecwindwheel out of the wind, a controller connectedwith said current controlled device and adapted to close the circuit tosaid motor upon an abnormal increase in current whereby the wind wheelwill be thrown out of the wind, and a brake forsaid wind wheel operablefrom said sec- 8. In an'electric power plant, a generator,

:1 wind wheel fordriving the same, a storage battery in circuit withsaid generator and adapted to be charged-therefrom, a'current controlleddevice in thechargingmircuit, a

motor connected in circuit with the generator, means operable from saidmotor to throw the wind wheel out of the wind, a controller connectedwith said current controlled device and adapted to close the circuit tosaid motor upon an abnormal increase in current whereby the wind wheelWlll be controlled device in the charging circuit, a

motor in circuit with the generator, a windlass geared up to said motor,a cable conmeeting said windla's's and wind wheel whereby the latter maybe thrown out of the wind, and a controller connected with said currentcontrolled device and adapted to close the circuit to said motor upon anabnormal increase'in current whereby said win dlassmay out of the wind.

10. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind wheel for drivingthe same, a storage battery in circuit with the generator and adapted tobe charged therefrom, a curbe operated and the wind wheel thrown 'rentcontrolled device in the charging circuit,' a motor in circuit, wlth thegenerator, a

windlass geared up to said motor, a cable connecting said Windlass andwind wheel whereby the latter may be throivn out of the wind,\acontroller connected with said current controlled device and adapted toclose the circuit to said motor upon an abnormal increase in currentwhereby said windlass may be operated and the ind wheel thrown out ofthe wind, aswitch-operable from said cable to break the motor circuitsucceeding the operation of the Windlass. i

- 11. In an electric power plant, a genera; tor, a wind wheel fordriving the same, a storage battery in circuit witht-he generator andadapted to be charged therefrom, a current controlled device in thecharging circuit, a motor in circuit with the generator,a windlassgeared up to said motor. a cable connecting said Windlass and wind wheelwhereby the latter. may be thrown out of the wind, a controllerconnected with said current controlled device and adapted to close thecircuit tosaid motor upon an abnormallincrease in current whereby saidwindlass may be operated and the wind wheel. thrown out of the wind, aswitch op erable from said. cable to break the motor circuit succeeding.the operation of the windlass, and means for holdlng said wmdlass inoperated position succeedingthe breaking" of the motor circuit. I

12. In an electric power-plant, a generator, a Wind wheel fordriving'thesame, a storage batter in circuit with the generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled device in the charging circuit,a motor in clrcuit'with the generator, a Windlass geared up to saidmotor, a cable connecting said Windlass and Wind "wheel whereby thelatter may be thrown out o l the wind, a controller connected with saidcurrent controlled device and adapted to close the circuit to said motorupon .an abnormal increase in current whereby said Windlass may beoperated and the wind wheel thrown out of the wind, a switch operablefrom said; cable to break the motor circuit succeeding the operation ofthe windlass,-"means for holdingsaidwindlassin operated positionsucceeding the breakingfiof the motor circuit, and means for releasingsaid locking means upon the current falling below normal.

' l3.- In an electric power plant, a genera-- tor, means for driving thesame, a storage battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled devicein circuit with thegenerator, a motor connected incircuit with the generator, means'wherebysaid motor may render the driving means inactive, and a controllerconnected with said current controlled device and adapted to close thecircuit to said motor upon an abnormal increase in current from thegenerator whereby said driving-means will be'rendered inactive. Y

14. In an electric power plant, a genera- -tor, means for driving thesame, a storage battery in circuit with'said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled device in circuit with thegenerator, a motor connected in circuit with the generator, meanswhereby said motor may render the driving means" inactive, a controllerconnected with said current con ,trolled device and adapted to close thecircuit to said motor upon an abnormal in 5Q crease in current from thegenerator whereby said driving means will be rendered inactive, andmeans operable to break the circuit of said motor upon the driving meansbeing rendered inactive.

15. In an electric power plant, a generator, means for driving the same,a storage- ,battery in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom, a current controlled device in circuit with thegenerator, a motor connected in circuit with the generator, meanswhereby said motor may render the driving means inactive, a controllerconnected with said current controlleddevice and adapted to close thecircuit to said motor upon an abnormal innormal increase incurrent inthe eaves c ease in current from the generator Wherebysaiddriving meansWlll be rendered inactive, and motor operated means adapted tobreak thecircuit through the motor upon the driving means being renderedinactive. 16. In an electric power-plant, a generator, awind wheel fordriving the same, a tail vanefcontrolling .said wind Wheel, a storagebattery connected in circuit with said generator and adapted to becharged therefrom,= a current controlled device in the charging circuit,a motor connected in circuit with; said generator, connectionsbetnicensaid motor and tail vane, and a controller connected with saidcurrent controlled .device and adapted to close the circuit to saidmotor upon an abnormal increase in current in the charging circuitwhereby said tail vane'will be actuated to swing'the Wind Wheel out ofthe wind.

- 17. In an electric power plant, a generator, a Wind Wheel for drivingthe same, a tail vane controlling said wind wheel, a storage battery incircuit with said generator and adapted to be charged therefrom, acurrent controlled device in the charging circuit, a motor connected incircuit With the generator, a Windlass driven from said motor, a cableconnecting said Windlass and tail vane, and a controller connected withsaid current controlled device and adapted to close the circuit to saidmotor upon an abcharging circuit whereby the tail vane Will be actuatedto swing the wind wheel out of the wind.

18. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind Wheel for drivingthe same, a tail vane controlling said wind wheel, a storage battery incircuit with said generator and adapted to be'charged therefrom, acurrent controlled device in the charging circuit, a motor connected incircuit with the generator, a Windlass driven from said motor, a cableconnecting said Windlass and tail vane, a controller connected with saidcurrent controlled device and adapted to close the circuit to said motorupon an abnormal increase in currentin the charging circuit whereby thetail vane will be actuated'to swing the wind wheel out of the Wind, anda switch operable from said cable to break the circuit of themotor'succeeding the movement of the tail vane under the action of themotor".

19. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind wheel for drivingthe same, a tail vane controlling said wind wheel, a storage battery incircuit with said generator and adapted to be charged therefrom, acurrent controlled device in the charging circuit, a motor connected incircuitwith the generator, a Windlass driven from said motor, a cableconnecting said windlassand tail vane,

a controller connectedwith said current cona 1 Fl" I trolled device'andadapted to close thecircuit to said motor upon an abnormal increase incurrent'in the charging circuit whereby the tail vane .will be actuatedto swing the wind wheel out of the wind, and

, a brakefor said wind wheel operable; from said cable.

20. In an electric powerplant, a generator, a wind wheel driving saidgenerator, a storage battery in circuit with said generator and adaptedto be charged therefrom,

and means for throwing the wind wheel out of the wind upon an abnormalincrease in current 1n the charging circuit.

21. In an electric power plant, a genera tor, a wind wheel connected tothe armature tor, a wind wheel connected to the armature shaft of thegenerator for driving the latter,-

shaft of said generator for drivin the. latter, a tail vane,.astoragebatterym circuit with said generator and adapted to be chargedtherefrom, a current controlled de vice in the charging circuit, a motorconnected in circuit with said generator, connections between said motorand tail vane,

and a controller connected with said current controlled device andadapted to close the circuit to said motor upon an abnormal in-' creasein the current in the charging circuit whereby said tail vane will beactuated. and

the wind wheel swung outof the wind.

22. In an electric power plant, a'generaa tail vane, a storage batteryin circuit with said generator and adapted to be charged therefrom, acurrent controlled device in the' charging circuit, a motor" connectedin circuit with said generator, connections between said motor and tailvane, a controller connected with said current controlled device andadapted to close the circuit to said motor upon an abnormal increaseincurrent in the charging circuit whereby said tail vane will beactuated andthe'wind'wheel swung out Qf the wind, and a brake for saidwind wheel operable from said motor.

23. In an electric power plant, a generator, a wind wheel for drivingthe same, a

. storage battery in circuit with said enerator and adapted tobefcharged there om, a current controlled device in circuit with thegenerator, a motor connected in circuit with said generator, meanswhereby. said motor may render said driving means inactive, means forholding said last means inv operated position, and a controllerconnected to said current -controlledv device and adapted to close thecircuit to said motor upon an abnormal increase in current from thegenerator whereby said windjwheel will be rendered inactive, and closethe circuit to said last-named meansupon the current falling belownormal whereby the last-named means will be'released.

24. In an electric power plant, the combi nation with a generator, of awind wheel connected with said generator for driving the latter, astorage battery connected in circuitwith said generator, and means forswinging the wind wheel out of the wind upon an abnormal increase incurrent intlie charging circuit and permitting the wind wheel to reenterthe wind upon the current in thecharging circuit falling below a pre--determined .value.

25. In n electric .power plant, the combination with a generator, of awind wheel connected with said generator for driving the latter, astorage battery connected in cira cuit with said generator, means forswing-' ing the-wind wheel out of the wind'upon an abnormal increase incurrent in the charging circuit and permitting-the wind wheel to reenterthe. wind upon the current in the charging circuit falling below apredetermined value, and means for braking the wind wheel as the latterswings out of the wind.

26. In an electric' power plant, the combination with a wind wheel, of agenerator driven from'said'wind'wheeLa supply circuit including saidgenerator, and means for a wheel to reenter the wind upon the current inthe supply circuit falling below a predetermined value. I 4

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY F. WATERS.

Witnesses:

i A. S. GILI,

J. B. FLAEERTY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for nve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 12mm, Washington, 10:0.

